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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
I have very mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, the plot, world, and characters all felt original and this book was a nice change of pace compared to the repetition of ideas in fiction (however, I can thoroughly enjoy a book with commonly used tropes written in a fresh way). There was nothing easy about this book. Every moment was a struggle for the characters emotionally or physically. The story painted a beautifully tragic tale of love, betrayal, hope, loss, fear, pain, strength, and magic.
On the other hand, I could easily put this book down. The book's pacing was slower than I typically like and I didn't feel truly invested in it until near the end. There is so much time spent on exposition by the characters that the pacing limps along. However, the time spent on this feels natural for the book and something that shouldn't necessarily be changed.
This book feels like it leaves such a weight on your shoulders after you finish. That's not completely a bad thing, since the ending sticks with you long after you have finished the final pages, but it also make you gasp for relief once the intense scenes have ended. The ending leaves you begging for more, but also pleading to put the heft of this book behind you.
Overall, I think I personally didn't connect with the book. I'm definitely glad I finished the book, but I'm on the fence about continuing the series.
On one hand, the plot, world, and characters all felt original and this book was a nice change of pace compared to the repetition of ideas in fiction (however, I can thoroughly enjoy a book with commonly used tropes written in a fresh way). There was nothing easy about this book. Every moment was a struggle for the characters emotionally or physically. The story painted a beautifully tragic tale of love, betrayal, hope, loss, fear, pain, strength, and magic.
On the other hand, I could easily put this book down. The book's pacing was slower than I typically like and I didn't feel truly invested in it until near the end. There is so much time spent on exposition by the characters that the pacing limps along. However, the time spent on this feels natural for the book and something that shouldn't necessarily be changed.
This book feels like it leaves such a weight on your shoulders after you finish. That's not completely a bad thing, since the ending sticks with you long after you have finished the final pages, but it also make you gasp for relief once the intense scenes have ended. The ending leaves you begging for more, but also pleading to put the heft of this book behind you.
Overall, I think I personally didn't connect with the book. I'm definitely glad I finished the book, but I'm on the fence about continuing the series.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Serafin and that's all that matters ok. But that being said, I’m not going to continue with the series. I can’t justify it as I only enjoyed one character and I didn’t enjoy the plot.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 4/5 ★
Promising start to a series, with an interesting cast of characters and magic system. The discussion about gods and the acquisition of power, plus how convoluted the desire of power is. We saw multiple people reaching for control over this war and at the end how betrayal is such a big part of this struggle. The only part I felt dragged the book a bit was the romance between Nadya and Malachiasz, I get how he made her question a lot of her beliefs, but the dramatic aspect of it was too much. Did enjoy Serafin's perspective, didn't think we would get that.
Promising start to a series, with an interesting cast of characters and magic system. The discussion about gods and the acquisition of power, plus how convoluted the desire of power is. We saw multiple people reaching for control over this war and at the end how betrayal is such a big part of this struggle. The only part I felt dragged the book a bit was the romance between Nadya and Malachiasz, I get how he made her question a lot of her beliefs, but the dramatic aspect of it was too much. Did enjoy Serafin's perspective, didn't think we would get that.